#one of the TWO big holidays of modern xianity

[jewishdragon]

Chanukah is a minor holiday in that it's not a biblical holiday (one where our modern traditions replaced a pilgrimage to the temple/or are still in practice from that time. ie passover dinner replaced a pilgrimage while keeping shabbat was able to be maintained without the temple)

The story of Chanukah is still REALLY important to us and the traditions we built around it are SO GREAT AND FANTASTIC. and it would be so COOL for people to learn about it properly

EDIT: i realize i needed to be more clear. major and minor kinda imply the wrong way to think about our holidays. the distinction is more about where/when the holidays came from. Major = traditions directly from biblical times or or recent traditions adjusted for a post-temple world. Minor = holiday story and traditions both from post-biblical times

You know, I spend so much energy this time of year pushing back against so many misconceptions about Chanukah, I think sometimes I do it a disservice.

Because yes, it's a relatively minor Jewish holiday... but it is deeply important, and I love it.

Yes, many people misunderstand it. But the Chanukah story is a story of hope, of courage, of war, of miracles, of persistence, of faith, of dedication, and of surviving against all the odds.

Yes, gift-giving has nothing to do with Chanukah traditionally... but it is traditional to give children coins to help pay for their education, and I think that says something beautiful about the value we place on learning and on future generations.

Yes, corporations heard about Chanukah and totally misunderstood it in their attempts to commercialize it... but we have absolutely delightful games and songs and foods that are a joy to share with family and with a community.

Yes, Chanukah is constantly beset by the forces of assimilation... but it is a holiday about holding to our identity and resisting assimilation at any cost, and the fact that we are still celebrating it today is proof that we have succeeded at this for thousands of years.

Yes, it is not a holiday primarily focused on peace and love in the way some people may think it is, but I sure do feel great peace and love when I dance with my family and and see the flames in the oil cups dancing along beside the window.

Chag sameach.

Yes, I really do love Chanukah.